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Gov. Jim Justice didn't do Pamela Woodman-Kaehler any favors when he brushed off a reporter's questions about the reason for her resignation as the first ombudsman of the state's foster care system.
When asked whether Woodman-Kaehler was leaving because of a problem with the office, Justice deflected: " ... This business of attacking people and everything and, you know, just, you know, digging into everything, coming and going. I mean, if she's telling us she got a better job, why don't we celebrate that?"
It is always a wonder to behold a public official who pretends it isn't our job to dig into things on behalf of taxpayers and citizens. Whatever the reason for Woodman-Kaehler's decision to leave the post, she is being replaced by Elizabeth Hardy, deputy director of the foster care ombudsman's office. Hardy has a tall task ahead of her.
Lawmakers have repeatedly tried to increase the role of the foster care ombudsman and strengthen the office's independence in the face of mounting criticism of the state's foster care system.
In 2023, lawmakers tried to address concerns the ombudsman was unable to independently investigate deaths, abuse and neglect involving children and the juvenile justice system. In 2024, they made the Office of Inspector General an independent agency.
But there have been obstacles at every turn.
By all appearances, Hardy is stepping into a role in which there will be attempts to thwart her work from all sides. But upon her departure, Woodman-Kaehler said the program is "exceptionally well positioned to serve West Virginia's foster care system."
It had better be exceptionally well positioned to best serve Mountain State kids.